Today marks the 112th anniversary of Philippine Independence.
In commemoration of this, I leave you with this poem by Aurelio Alvero
1896 – The Cry of Balintawak
Freedom!
The cry awoke Balintawak,
And the echoes answered back:”Freedom!”
All the four winds listened long
To the shrieking of that song;
Every poet struck its lyre
With those burning notes of fire.All the women knelt to pray
In their hearts that frenzied lay.
Even the children and the old
Took to arms and shouted bold,”Freedom!”I heard it from the planters in the vales,
I heard it from the traders tying bales,
I heard it where the fishers strike their sails
I heard it from the huskers ‘neath the trees;
I heard it from the divers of the seas,
I heard it from the pounders in the leas.All the people raised the cry,
Fearing not to bleed or die;
All the tombs of slave and sire
Broke to voice that great desire,
Up the mountain, down the plain,
Louder, louder rang the strain,”freedom!”I heard it from the makers of the brooms;
I heard it from the weavers at their looms;
I heard it in the smoking smithy rooms;
I heard it in the bullets whine and roar;
I heard it in the farthest islet shore.We heard it and shall hear it evermore! “freedom!”
The cry awoke Balintawak,
And now our voices answer back – “FREEDOM!”
